KNUT issues teachers strike notice for January 2

KNUT issues teachers strike notice for January 2

The Kenya National Union of Teachers ( KNUT) has threatened industrial action from January 2, 2019 to protest teachers transfers and lack of promotions.

In a press briefing on Wednesday morning, KNUT Secretary General Wilson Sossion said the transfers of 3,094 head teachers of primary and secondary schools by the the Teachers Service Commission (TSC)  should be recalled terming it irregular.

“This action by TSC constitutes abuse of office and defiance to the head of state,” retorted Sossion. “We are withdrawing labour to protest disruption of families through irregular policy of delocalisation,”

Sossion further indicated that the transfers had not yet been approved by the appointing board.

The KNUT Secretary General also faulted TSC on their persistence to subject teachers to performance contracts and appraisals terming it as intimidating.

“…Subjection of teachers to illegal contracts, TSC is reducing teachers to clerical officers,” said Sossion.

“We are protesting the introduction of the teacher professional development policies without stakeholder’s opinion. Capacity building is work of the employer, not from a teacher’s salary.”

The Union now wants their issues addressed among them working conditions and introduction of Teacher Professional Development (TPD) policies without stakeholder participation.

The strike, if effected, will most definitely disrupt the education calendar that kicks off in January when pupils and students go back to school from the long Christmas holiday that started in November.

Earlier this year, KNUT had opposed the teachers’ transfer which was part of TSC’s delocalisation programme.

TSC says that any issues by individual heads that will arise from the transfers will be handled by the receiving county heads.

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KNUT Teacher's strike Wilson Sossion

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